Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1887-08-04
Receptions. and Parties.
Harper's Bazaar

! Above all thing, if we do not do away
with the o'clock tea, let us really observe
1t in sensible English fashion-not
light our houses as if for a ball, no- dress
as hostess so that when lady enters in
her walking dress she seems ont of place.
Let US give a party in the daytime il we
wish to, but let us call it party.
Mrs. A., Mrs. B. and Mrs. c. will give
their parties or their teas to suit their
taste and their incomes and according to
the convenience of their own particular
family circle. But why should Mrs. d /,
Mrs. L. and Mrs. +, give their entertain
ments slavishly after the fashion thus set.
/ They may have fine houses and unlimited
bank accounts, many servants, and house
which looks better at night
/ Why should not r lady SO situated give
/ her parties in the evening In Washing
ton, where everything is conducted official
! ly, 1t is astonishing how much better they
arrange this thing which we call society
There, where there is not one.sixteenth
part of the wealth or the premeditated
gayety which - ere is in New York, bxt
where there Is a. official head, receptions
and evening parties and dinners are all
regulated so well that they do not trip up
each others heels, and New York woman
comes home astonished at the amount of
social work which she has done and the
number of agreeable men whom she has
seen and talked to. The hours are so
arranged tina. the men of mind and OF
business can go into society; but what
men who are working can now 40 into
society in New York?
Tbs want of an acknowledged head to
society in New York Is serious trouble.
In Washington, even in our simple Re
publican way of doing things, there is
an official head 70 everything, and every
circle stands off with the vision OF au.
thority at least--a great thing n social
customs. The Presidents wife has her
days anl evenings; the Secretarys wife
hers. The business of the newcomer is to
call first, whi.h is true etiquette The
return to the evening reception and the
formation of social clubs has been one of
soclety's efforts to restore this equilib-
rum which afternoon teas have upset.
It seemed melancholy to tire young
married man who WAS bssJ IN has bank
all day to be unable TO 60 into society
with his wife. Yet be could not go TO
ladies lunches or afternoon teas; he was
busy. He oou'd not 60 to balls at IL
O'Clock, because he was obliged to be at
bis desk next morning at . o'clock. And
it seemed melancholy that the great social
leaders in the great, beautiful, rich,
artistic city of New York could do moth
ing better than to expect guests to ride,
like the boy and his father in the ballad,
through darkness and snow, from Wash
ington Square to Seventy ninth street,
pursued by the erl king, carrying under
| his shasowy,cloak rheumatism, di phtheris,
and pneumonia, only that the favored
| guests may see three or four ladies dres-
sed for ball in hot, howerbedeoked
! house, whore, later ON is to be dance, a
young lady being introduced, and the
greater part of the non-dancing guests
asked TO "Gye-o' clock tea 1t Is way OF
getting rid of them, and of doing the
thing cheapiy, which is not commendable
Far different is the five o'clock tea,
which is q simple cup of tea and piece
OF bread and butter, which holds good il
some houses every afternoon in the sea
son, in others, only on one day of tn,
week, in some only on certain days o
the month, as "N ednesday in February.
This is a sensible way of seeing one
friends, and the lady of ths house shoul'
be plainly dressed.
OF course the outlines OF things get
mixed in social matters, and fashion
often outgrows itself, and the tea and tn
reception have been COMPOUNDED. NoI
an afternoon reception should be ca. lie
, than tea; the card should be forma
one-"Mrs. Brown at home on Weduesda
from 30 s and the table usually groan
with Injuries, or it may be onl~ sand
) witches, oysters, salads, ices, etc. well
; bred hostess should not err on the side o
. too much profusion and magniicence.
. Many ladies' have tried TO introduc
I dancing at these receptions, bet in
] crowded room it is Objectionable, as fe'
. houses are large enough for both dancin
t and receiving, unless there is ballroom
s The hostess should even on these occa'
I ions be plainly dressed in her own hous'
n 80 that her guests may not be ashamed {
a quiet toilet
People leave q card in the hall at n
ception, but it il proper for gentiema
also to make an evening call IN full drei
T on the lady who has invited him. III
). | obligation is not 80 great after a tea, b.
y still it would be polite to do so. Polt
ness is never thrown away. IL IL, as v
. have said a cardinal virtue.